Aperture Information
This is a text file describing the size and shape of each element on the board. Also known as a D-code list. This report is not necessary if your files are saved as Extended Gerber with embedded Apertures (RS274X).

Board Thickness
Our standard base thickness is 1/16", which is also called out as 0.062" or 0.059"

Technical information on our laminates can be found at: ISOLA

Clearances
To prevent shorting, ground and power clearances need to be .035 larger than the finish hole size on inner layers. This allows for registration, drilling, and plating tolerances.

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Component Side
In order to prevent building a board inside out, we must be able to identify the correct orientation of your design. Component, layer 1, or 'top' layer should read in facing up. All other layers should line up as though looking through the board from the topside.

Copper Foil
Finished copper weight = 1oz.

Cut lines
A cut line is what our system uses to program the router specifications. It represents the outer dimensions of your board. This is required for the board to finish as the size you want it.

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Date/Lot Code
Not included on PCBexpress.

Note: You may however add text or dates to your design to be etched in copper on the board surface, this may be on any gerber or silkscreen layers. You will need this in place on your design prior to submitting your files for manufacturing.

Drawing or Print
Drawings or prints will not be viewed.

Drill Tool Description
This is a text file describing drill tool number and corresponding size. Some reports also include quantity.
Please Note: All drill sizes will be interpreted as plated through finished sizes unless otherwise specified.

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Drill File
In order to process your order, we require a drill file (with x-y coordinates) that is viewable in any text editor.

Electrical Test
Not included on PCBexpress.

Excellon Drill File
In order to process your order, we require a drill file (with x-y coordinates) that is viewable in any text editor.

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Finished Copper
This is the finished weight of the base and electroplated copper per square foot of material.

Gerber Files
Industry standard format for files used to generate artwork necessary for circuit board imaging. The preferred Gerber format is RS274X, which embeds the apertures within the specific files. The apertures assign specific values to design data (specific pad size, trace width, etc.), and these values make up a D-code list.

When files are not saved as RS274X, a text file with values must be included because the values must be hand-entered by our CAM operators. This slows down the process and increases the margin for human error, as well as lead-time and cost.

Note: Plot & Go orders MUST provide Gerber Extended files. It is recommended you download Viewmate (www.pentalogix.com), which is free software that enables you to view your Gerber & drill files prior to submitting. This is a freeware version of the CAM software we use to prep your Gerber artwork and drill files.

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Gold (Fingers)
Not available on PCBexpress.

Inspection Guidelines
All boards meet IPC Class 2 Guidelines.

Internal Power and Ground Layers
View sample (Link to pictures of right way of generating files). Please generate these layers as negatives. This will make it easy to identify as shown in the above sample.

Helpful hint: When creating your clearances, please set your software parameters to generate opening 0.035" larger than the finished drill size for that particular opening. This will prevent shorting from occurring with layer shifting on inner layers.

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Internal Signal Layers
PCBexpress will not remove any pads that are not connected to traces on your internal signal layers, all are run as-sent.

Layers
On-board text such as company name, logo, or part number that is oriented right-reading on the top layer will quickly allow us to determine that files have been imported correctly. This simple step can save a time-consuming hold notice and potential hold up.

Please note: any traces on outer layer that are 0.010" wide or less will require ½ ounce copper starting weight to prevent excessive trace width reduction.

Layer Sequence
Please include a layer sequence so that we are able to build your order with the correct stackup as seen through the top of the board. Please fill out order form with correct layer names in the order they will be built.

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Lead Time
After confirmation of your order, your lead time begins based on the cut-off time for the service you have chosen.
See our process schedule.

Minimum Traces & Spacing
Minimum line width for legible printing is 0.007" (width) , anything smaller may result in missing or illegible marking on your boards.

Number of Holes
This is the total number of holes in the board. There is no influence on price and no limit to quantity of holes on PCBepxress.

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Number of Test Points
Not applicable on PCBexpress.

Pad Sizes
Your pads need to be .017 larger than the finish tool size for outer layers. This allows us to drill .007 larger to allow for the plating process, .005 drill machine tolerance, and .005 registration tolerance.

Part Number
The name or number associated with your printed circuit board for your convenience.

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Quantity
This is used to generate the information in the Price Matrix price table.

Readme File
PCBexpress does not reference customer Readme files or design documents.

Revision
PCBexpress does not revise customer files. Each order is manufactured as a new design.

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Silk Screen, Nomenclature, or Legend (Artwork)
White marking ink to identify components during later assembly and troubleshooting processes. Can be placed on one or two sides, depending on the board design and application.

Minimum line width for legible printing is 0.007". Anything smaller may result in missing or illegible marking on your boards.

Size X & Y
All dimensions are in inches. If your board is in metric, please convert to inches. Please note, our maximum X & Y configuration 108" This means if the width (X) is 14", then the maximum length (Y) is 7.71".

Smallest Hole
PCBexpress has limited preset finish sizes, please refer to drill technical info. on the website.

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Solder Mask
Used to protect the board and circuitry during the assembly and packaging operations. Among other things, the solder mask helps prevents solder bridges between adjacent pads and traces during the wave soldering process. Liquid Photo-imageable (LPI) is our standard process.

Solder Mask (Artwork)
Generate your soldermask artwork with a swell of 0.008" to 0.010" larger than the component and solder side pads. Our manufacturing process needs at least 0.005" mask between pads in order to adhere to the board. Anything less than that has the potential for lifting and re-depositing on surface mounts that would then prevent solder coverage.

Solder Mask Color
LPI Green is our standard solder mask color.

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Surface Mount
The pitch of the surface mount is defined as the dimension in inches from center to center of surface mount pads. Standard pitch is >0.025", fine pitch is 0.011"-0.025", and ultra fine pitch is <0.011". As boards contain finer pitch, processing and test fixture costs increase.

Please note: the ultra fine pitch is not suited for the PCBexpress.

Tab Routing
Not available on PCBexpress.

Top Side
In order to prevent building a board inside out, we must be able to identify the correct orientation of your design. Component, layer 1, or 'top' layer should read in facing up. All other layers should line up as though looking through the board. It is advised to add labels to all layers which can be placed anywhere outside the board surface.

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Traces & Spaces
Submit board files with traces and spaces 0.007" or greater.

UL
Not available on PCBexpress.

V-Scoring
Not available on PCBexpress.

Zip File
All files needed for the processing of your order must be compressed in a zip file.

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